Popcorn that penetrates childhood memories

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The sound of "bang" startled the birds flying on the distant branches. The iconic popcorn always frightened these unknown animals, but it shattered the children in the mountain village.

The rugged and winding mountain road isolates the noise of the city from the tranquility of the countryside. The only thing that can make this small village feel a little lively is the market day every Saturday.

The road at the head of the village is packed. In the open space near the village entrance, several old people who fry popcorn sit down in turn, throw charcoal into the stove, connect the air outlet of the blower with the stove with a bamboo tube, take out the net bag full of popcorn, set up a hand-cranked popcorn machine, get ready for work, and start a day's work career.

The villagers peeled the corn into grains, put them in linen bags and took them to the market to give to these old artists who fried popcorn. In order to allow themselves time to buy other things, villagers usually put their children beside them. A group of children crouched by the fire, eagerly watching the popcorn machine charred by the flame, waiting for the deafening "bang" to open the delicious food that made them drool.

In a closed country, children don't have a wide variety of food like children in the city. Popcorn is a snack in their daily life.

The creaking sound of the hand-cranked stove, the whirring sound of the blower and the crackling sound of the charcoal fire are mixed with the earth-shattering sound of popcorn when it comes out of the oven, interweaving the most beautiful music in the hearts of rural children in the hot air.

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When I was a child, I liked going to the market with my mother best. Every time before going to the market, my mother would peel a small bag of corn kernels in advance. I am so happy when I carry my bag. I imagined that golden corn kernels turned into crispy and delicious popcorn, and my steps could not help but be light.

Among the many craftsmen who fry popcorn, my mother especially likes the popcorn fried by Uncle Zhang. In fact, not only my mother, but also many people in the village like Zhang Shu's technique of frying popcorn.

There are also fried popcorn, that is, put the corn kernels in a hand-shaking popcorn machine, set the time on the timer of the handle, then pry open the valve at the bottom of the machine to release the pressure generated by the interweaving of hot air, aim the opening of the machine at the net bag at the moment of opening the cover, and then bang, the hot fermented popcorn emits white smoke, dances happily in the net bag, and then gradually calms down.

At this point, the process of corn kernels turning into popcorn is over.

The popcorn fried by one process is huge in size and fluffy in taste, but not crisp enough, and the taste experience is not good.

Uncle Zhang fried popcorn differently. After three processes of baptism, popcorn is crispy and delicious, and the fragrance of corn is completely locked. When chewing, I feel that my lips and teeth are fragrant and have a long aftertaste.

I have seen the scene of Uncle Zhang frying popcorn countless times. Although several years have passed now, my memory is as clear as yesterday.

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The reason why Uncle Zhang fried popcorn is different from others is that water is needed on the way to fry popcorn, which is an ancestral craft of Uncle Zhang.

When the corn is fried for three minutes, pry the valve to release all the pressure; Open the lid and add water to the popcorn machine. Adding water is also very particular. Generally, stir-fry three Jin of corn in one pot, and add a glass of water for the first time. Corn with residual heat will become brittle when it is excited by ice water.

After adding water, stir with a stick a few times to prevent the corn kernels from softening and sticking together. Then cover and continue to fry on the fire. The fluffy corn kernels hit the sand popcorn machine. Just listening to the rustling sound, you can imagine how crisp popcorn is.

Uncle Zhang Can analyzed when to add water for the second time by listening to the crash of corn kernels. It is also necessary to release the pressure inside the machine and stir after adding water. The difference is that the amount of water is half that of the first time. One more point is not crisp enough, and one less point is too dry to smell enough.

After adding water for the second time, it is necessary to increase the firepower to quickly evaporate the water in the machine. At this time, Uncle Zhang shook the popcorn machine in his right hand and the blower in his left hand. The fire scorched his dark face, and crystal beads of sweat glistened in the firelight.

The most critical step is to reduce the firepower in time. Small fire will dry the remaining water and make the popcorn crisp enough.

This step is the most test of the craftsman's control of time. Time is short, and the popcorn is slightly soft, which is not only not fragrant enough, but also sticky. After a long time, popcorn has a burnt taste and is difficult to swallow. Uncle Zhang can always control the time just right, so the popcorn he fried is fragrant, crisp and unique in taste. Over time, Zhang Ji's popcorn became the best popcorn in the village.

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Uncle Zhang's business is getting better and better, and people from all over the country come to him to fry popcorn for them. All the bosses in Liancheng drove to the village and wanted to buy Uncle Zhang's secret recipe "Water Bud Flower". (Southwest dialect is called popcorn bud flower)

Uncle Zhang moved his family to town and opened a small shop. In addition to frying popcorn for others, he also bought corn and packed the fried popcorn. The boss in the city will drive it away.

The food processing factory wraps Zhangji popcorn with cream, spiced powder and Chili noodles to make it into different flavors, and then packages it and sells it to supermarkets in the city. Ordinary popcorn has become an expensive food.

Many people took a fancy to the business opportunity of "water bud flower" and came to worship Zhang Shu to learn skills. Zhang Shu taught them the secret without reservation.

Old friends all think that Uncle Zhang is a fool. He can pass on his ancestral skills to outsiders casually and make himself rich.

Uncle Zhang always explains with a smile: "I am the only son of Bao Er. Now that he has graduated from college and worked in the city, no one will inherit my mantle. Instead of sticking to craftsmanship, it is better to benefit the villagers and do good deeds. "

Later, Uncle Zhang was taken to the city by his son, who refused to let him fry popcorn. Zhang Ji's popcorn disappeared after a few years. Although many folks who worship Zhang Shu as their teacher have opened stores in succession, the "water bud flower" they fry lacks an unspeakable taste compared with Zhang Shu.

Now I am not a child, but I still remember the popcorn fried by Uncle Zhang. It's a pity that the unique taste was buried in my childhood memory, and I can't find it anymore.

Collection of local stories and industry stories. The first novel: the story of the old business in my hometown